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This very early and highly significant Porsche 911 is currently being restored at Tuthill Porsche. It’s a 1965 911 that was imported to the UK by AFN Ltd and used as the first UK press car.
AFN were the initials of Archibald Frazer Nash, the famous English car designer and noted engineer who established his own motor manufacturing company in 1922. When the firm hit trouble in the late 1920s, a restructuring saw the Aldington family take over the business, renaming it from Frazer Nash to AFN Ltd, but continuing to produce Frazer Nash cars.
AFN Managing director, HJ Aldington (known as ‘Aldy’) was an avid car fan and engineering devotee, who had spent his early career selling motorcycles but soon moved into sports cars. HJ’s racing career included appearances in the Frazer Nash cars he worked with daily, but also in tuned BMW models, raced around the UK and in Isle of Man Tourist trophy events.
Aldy’s passion for sports cars and his respect for the German marques was passed on to son, John, who worked closely with his father and uncles Don and Harold at the AFN Falcon Works headquarters in Isleworth. As engineers, manufacturers, racers and retailers, the Aldingtons shared many similarities with the Porsche family of Stuttgart, so it was no great surprise when, in 1953, Ferry Porsche handed the sole concessionaireship for his cars in the UK to AFN and the Aldingtons.
The arrangement lasted until 1965 and the formation of Porsche Cars Great Britain Limited with John Aldington at the helm. Now wholly owned by Porsche AG in Stuttgart, the company is the sole UK and Ireland importer of Porsche cars. Porsche Cars GB relocated to Reading in 1977, but Isleworth is still very much in the DNA of every classic Porsche that was sold here in Britain.
Tuthill Porsche is privileged to have been trusted to carry out such a detailed restoration on this unique piece of Porsche history. We look forward to continuing our high quality restoration on the interior and of course the engine, transmission and complete drivetrain. It will be a wonderful example of classic ‘British’ Porsche when the programme is complete.
